Mark, the son of Jack and Madelyn (Mulligan) Hubbard, was born on July 8, 1951, in Catskill, N.Y. He married Kathryn Suzanne Jones on March 20, 1976, at the Church of the Assumption in Atkins. On Jan. 13, 1971, Mark received his orders to report for Armed Forces Physical Examination in Russellville Arkansas at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 1, 1971. He voluntarily requested duty in Vietnam but was sent to Korea as a Military Policeman. Over the years of his service in the Army and Arkansas Army National Guard, he accomplished many things and compiled a long list of stories. Shortly after returning from his deployment to Iraq in 2008 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mark retired a 1SG after 39 years of service, effective Nov. 1, 2010.

The awards he received include five Army Commendation Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, nine Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, three National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, three Armed Forces Service Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, three Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, two Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbons, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and the Combat Action Badge.

He was most proud of his family, having raised four children, being a big brother and a friend to all. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Russellville, Enlisted Association of the National Guard, a lifetime member of the Association of Marksman in the National Guard and an avid member of the National Rifle Association. Mark spent his early childhood days raising cattle with his parents and siblings, which included along the way, the first Piedmontese calf born in the U.S. His father, Jack, later became the first active member of the Piedmontese Association of the United States. Mark enjoyed cattle ranching, raising horses, collecting guns and western memorabilia, but most of all, he loved spending time and sharing stories with his family.

Mark is preceded in death by his father, Jack Hubbard of Gumlog. Survivors include his mother, Madelyn Hubbard of Russellville; his loving wife of 38 years and two days, Kathi Hubbard of Hector; four children, Amy Whitlow and husband Troy of Russellville, Kit Hubbard and wife Brandi of Gumlog, Beci Martin and husband Lance of Fayetteville and Josh Hubbard and wife Ashley of Russellville; six grandchildren, Emma and Will Whitlow of Russellville, Madison and Marley Harper of Gumlog and Avarie and Grayson Martin of Fayetteville; eight siblings, Kim Hubbard and wife Eve of Russellville, Gwen Baker and husband Gary of Gumlog, Todd Hubbard and wife Alyce of Montrose, Colo., Lee Hubbard of Gumlog, Jody Tullous of Mount Dora, Fla., Ross Hubbard and wife B.J. of Salida, Colo., Jeannie Smith and husband Tim of Russellville and Glen Hubbard and wife Missy of Russellville and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

A rosary prayer service will begin at 6 p.m. today at St. John Catholic Church in Russellville with visitation to follow. Funeral Mass will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at St. John Catholic Church in Russellville. Burial will be at Bowden Cemetery in Pottsville with military honors. Father Ernie and Father Chuma will be officiating the services coordinated by Humphrey Funeral Service.

Mark’s wishes would be for everyone to be dressed in blue jeans, western shirts and cowboy boots for his service, if you would like to do so. A memorial dinner for family, friends and everyone else who knew Mark will take place at the St. John Parish Hall following the funeral service and burial.

Memorials can be made to St. John Catholic Church, 1900 W. Main St. Russellville, AR 72801, or The Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org. Internet obituary and online guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.